Acoustic Device Control via Mechanical Sound Signatures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling devices in a network, such as those using switches and potentiometers, face high power consumption and require extensive electrical wiring, while alternative approaches like sound-based control systems are complex and require a power supply for the loudspeaker, making them inefficient and inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses sound sensors and mechanical members to interpret environmental sounds, associating specific sound signatures with adjustment instructions, allowing for device control without electrical power, using a correspondence table to map acoustic signatures to control commands, and employing mechanical components with protrusions to produce characteristic sounds upon actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If switches and potentiometers are used to control devices, then device control functionality is achieved, but power consumption increases and extensive electrical wiring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces electrical control systems (switches and potentiometers requiring power supply) with an acoustic control system using a sound sensor to detect mechanical sounds. The sound sensor captures acoustic signals from environmental sounds, which are then processed to generate control commands for devices, eliminating the need for continuous electrical power at control points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a sound sensor as an intermediary between the user's mechanical actions (producing sounds) and the electronic devices to be controlled. The sound sensor acts as a mediator that converts acoustic energy into control signals, bridging the gap between mechanical user input and electronic device response without requiring direct electrical connection or power at the control location.
2Ease of operation
If switches and potentiometers are used to control devices, then device control functionality is achieved, but extensive electrical wiring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex electrical wiring infrastructure with an acoustic signal transmission system. Instead of running electrical wires from power sources to control points and devices, the system uses sound waves as the control medium, requiring only a sound sensor positioned to capture relevant acoustic signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The sound sensor serves multiple functions: it detects various types of mechanical sounds (knocking, clapping, voice commands), processes these sounds to identify control intent, and generates appropriate control commands for different devices. This universal approach eliminates the need for separate wiring for each control function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a loudspeaker-based sound remote control is used, then sound-based device control is achieved, but the remote control structure becomes complicated and requires a power supply
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a loudspeaker to send control sounds from a remote control to devices (as in prior art), the patent inverts the approach by using a sound sensor to receive control sounds from the environment and convert them into control commands. This eliminates the need for a powered remote control device while maintaining sound-based control versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses existing environmental sounds produced by user actions (knocking, clapping, speaking) as the control input, rather than requiring a dedicated powered remote control device. The sound sensor passively captures these self-generated sounds, and the processing unit interprets them to generate control commands, making the system self-sufficient without external power at the control interface.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a loudspeaker-based sound remote control is used, then sound-based device control is achieved, but it requires a power supply to operate the loudspeaker
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrical loudspeaker system with an acoustic detection system. The sound sensor captures acoustic energy from environmental sounds and converts it into electrical signals for processing, eliminating the need for a powered loudspeaker and its associated power supply requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system harvests energy from existing environmental sounds rather than requiring an external power supply for the control interface. User-generated sounds (knocking, clapping, speaking) serve as both the control input and the energy source for triggering control actions, making the system energy-independent at the control point.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables efficient, power-free control of devices by interpreting environmental sounds, reducing the need for electrical wiring and eliminating the requirement for a power supply, allowing for automated processing and command transmission based on sound signatures, even in noisy environments.
Implementation Method 1
The equipment is then arranged for: receiving sound signals from the environment
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to the management of connected devices (AP1, AP2, AP3) to a piece of equipment (EQ) in an environment (ENV). The equipment receives and interprets signals from the environment (S1, S2, S3) and, based on an interpretation of the signals, transmits adjustment instructions (C1, C2, C3) to the devices. In particular, a sound sensor (ANT) connected to the equipment (EQ) is provided, along with one or more mechanical components (OM1, OM2), the activation of which, for the purpose of adjusting at least one of the devices, causes the emission of a characteristic sound (S1, S2). Upon receiving these sound signals from the environment, the equipment compares each sound signal to predefined acoustic signatures in a lookup table (TAB) which lists adjustment instructions (C1, C2...) based on these acoustic signatures (S1, S2; S1, S3, S4; ...) and transmits a setting instruction for a device based on at least one acoustic signature of the table, recognized in the received sound signals.